1818 landscape painter, Stephen Weir - help

[Ditsy]

 I have discovered my Great Grandfather x 3 was a 'landscape painter' called Stephen Weir, born 1818 Newcastle.  Does this mean he was an artist and if so how can I find out more

[Ruskie]

Hi Ditsy, wlcome to rootschat!

A google search of "stephen weir" "landscape painter" doesn't bring up anything I'm afraid ....

Where did you get this information about Stephen's occupation? Have you found him in the various censuses to see what his occupation is, in case it varies?

I will have another look around ....

[Ditsy]

Hi, thanks for your reply.  1861, 1871 and 1881 census all show occupation as Artist Landscape Painter.  Throughout these years he is at the same address - 88 Mitford Street, Westgate, Newcastle upon Tyne.  This is unusual as all my other searches for family show they moved around a lot.  I would be grateful for any help. 

[Michael Dixon]

Ditsy,

Mitford Street was in Elswick suburb of Newcastle ( Yes, Ok, still within the wider district of Westgate)

What about Stephen's Gateshead-born son, William ?. He was also a landscape painter. And he was advertised within Trade Directories of the period ... and went "up-market" to Coxlodge, Gosforth ( C1881 5096-77-15)

e.g.
Whellans Directory of Newcastle  etc., 1855
Artist, Willm. Weir, 26 Clayton Street East.
( www.historicaldirectories.org )

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Also on not-art angle, Stephen's son/William's brother, Joseph was according to 1861 census ( 3816-19-32) a "fuse packer".

Lord Armstrong's world renowned munitions factory was closeby in Elswick!
~~~~~~~~---------

Michael Dixon
Newcastle

[Ditsy]

Many thanks Michael,

I have found Wm. Weir in trade directory as suggested, but how do you know he went "up market" to Gosforth.

On the subject of Joseph, I did wonder what a 'fuse packer' was.  I have read about the munitions factory but would never have put the two together.  Thanks again. 

[Michael Dixon]

Ditsy,

On C1881, ( 5096-77-15) Gateshead-born William Weir and Dorset-born wife Anne/Anna Fanny nee Whiterow plus sis-in-law and three children were living in Coxlodge, part of the parish of Gosforth ( maybe slightly posher than Elswick ? )

Michael Dixon